No-cable stereo handsfree accessory

ABSTRACT

A handsfree accessory for a mobile communication device is provided. The handsfree accessory includes first and second earpieces each having a respective audio transducer, a microphone, and a transceiver. The transceiver is operatively coupled to the respective audio transducers and the microphone, and provides for wireless communication between the handsfree accessory and the mobile communication device.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a divisional application of application Ser. No.11/379,818 filed Apr. 24, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to portable electronic devices,and more particularly to a stereo accessory for use with portableelectronic devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Portable electronic devices have been popular for decades yet continueto increase in popularity. Many modern portable electronic devices areintended or suitable for recording or playback of acoustic and/or videosignals. For example, portable CD or DVD players, MPEG players, MP-3players, etc. provide a vast variety of forms of personal entertainment.Whether audio and/or video entertainment, there are numerous portableelectronic devices to satisfy any user's tastes.

Similarly, portable electronic devices in the form of mobile phones,pagers, communicators, e.g., electronic organizers, personal digitalassistants (PDAs), smartphones or the like are also becomingincreasingly popular. Such devices allow a user to communicate withothers, store and manipulate data, create text, etc., many times withinthe same device.

Depending on the particular application(s) a given portable electronicdevice performs, oftentimes one or more accessories are used incombination with the portable electronic device. Examples of suchaccessories include headsets, portable keyboards, input pens, scanners,etc., which may be coupled to the portable electronic device via anappropriate cord and connector. As a particular example, for manyapplications it is desirable to have a headset, the headset typicallycomprising one or more loudspeakers, which may be in the form of one ortwo earplugs, and/or one or more microphones. By using a headset, a userof a mobile phone can enjoy more privacy when the others around him orher cannot hear the telephone conversation. Further, by using a suitablemicrophone in the headset, the telephone call can still be successfullyarrived at even though there may be much background noise.

In a conventional stereo headset accessory for a mobile phone, stereoearbuds are driven by a small capsule including a microphone and simplecontrols. The capsule is connected to the mobile phone via a cable. Inaddition, there have been wireless headset accessories for mobilephones. These wireless headsets typically are in the form of a Bluetoothenabled wireless headset. The headset includes an audio output channeland microphone, and attaches to one ear of a user.

While the above-described handsfree headsets are useful for allowing auser of a mobile phone to communicate with more privacy and convenience,a number of drawbacks still exist. For example, the stereo headset forthe mobile phone includes a cabled connection to the mobile phone. Thecabled connection can be bothersome in that the cable may inadvertentlyget in the way of the user, accidentally get snagged on somethingresulting in the headset being ripped from the ear of the user, etc. TheBluetooth enabled wireless headset, on the other hand, provides awireless connection to the mobile phone. However, the Bluetooth enabledwireless headset provides only a monaural audio output channel. Thus,the user of the Bluetooth enabled wireless headset loses the benefitand/or enjoyment of multi-channel audio.

In view of the aforementioned disadvantages with existing stereohandsfree accessories, there is a strong need in the art for a wirelesshandsfree accessory for proving handsfree operation of a mobile phone,for example, without sacrificing stereo or multi-channel audiooperation.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, a handsfree accessory for amobile communication device is provided. The handsfree accessoryincludes first and second earpieces each having a respective audiotransducer, a microphone, and a transceiver. The transceiver isoperatively coupled to the respective audio transducers and themicrophone, and provides for wireless communication between thehandsfree accessory and the mobile communication device.

In accordance with a particular aspect, the handsfree accessory furtherincludes an earpiece housing integral with the first earpiece andhousing the transceiver.

According to another aspect, the second earpiece is coupled to thehousing via a tether.

In accordance with yet another aspect, the tether is retractable.

According to still another aspect, the tether includes an electricallyconductive wire which carries audio information between the transceiverand the audio transducer of the second earpiece.

According to yet another aspect, the tether includes a pair ofelectrically conductive wires which carry the audio information betweenthe transceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece.

According to another aspect, the handsfree accessory further includes atleast one electrical body contact for establishing a virtual ground viathe body of a user with respect to the audio information carried on theelectrically conductive wire.

In accordance with still another aspect, the tether includes a lightguide which carries audio information between the transceiver and theaudio transducer of the second earpiece.

According to still another aspect, the tether includes an optical fiberwhich carries audio information between the transceiver and the audiotransducer of the second earpiece.

With yet another aspect, the handsfree accessory further includes awireless link for carrying audio information between the transceiver andthe audio transducer of the second earpiece.

Yet with another aspect, the wireless link includes a radio frequency(RF) link.

According to another aspect, the RF link includes a near-field RF link.

In accordance with still another aspect, the near-field RF link utilizesbody conduction of a user.

According to yet another aspect, the wireless link includes an opticallink.

With still another aspect, the wireless link includes an IR link.

According to another aspect of the invention, a handsfree accessory fora device is provided. The handsfree accessory includes first and secondearpieces each having a respective audio transducer. In addition, thehandsfree accessory includes a receiver, operatively coupled to therespective audio transducers, for providing wireless communicationbetween the handsfree accessory and the device. An earpiece housingintegral with the first earpiece and housing the receiver is included,together with a non-two-wire communication link which carries audioinformation between the receiver and the audio transducer of the secondearpiece.

In accordance with another particular aspect, the non-two-wirecommunication link includes an electrically conductive wire whichcarries audio information between the transceiver and the audiotransducer of the second earpiece, and at least one electrical bodycontact for establishing a virtual ground via the body of a user withrespect to the audio information carried on the electrically conductivewire.

According to another aspect, the non-two-wire communication linkincludes a light guide which carries audio information between thetransceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece.

With respect to yet another aspect, the non-two-wire communication linkincludes an optical fiber which carries audio information between thetransceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece.

In accordance with still another aspect, the non-two-wire communicationlink includes a wireless link for carrying audio information between thetransceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece.

According to yet another aspect, wherein the wireless link comprises aradio frequency (RF) link.

According to still another aspect, the RF link comprises a near-field RFlink.

With yet another aspect, the near-field RF link utilizes body conductionof a user.

In accordance with another aspect, the wireless link includes an opticallink.

According to another aspect, the wireless link includes an IR link.

In accordance with yet another aspect, the earpiece housing includes anelectrical connector for electrically engaging the second earpiece toenable a battery in the second earpiece to be recharged when a batteryin the earpiece housing is recharged.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims. The following description andthe annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrativeembodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative, however,of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of theinvention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel featuresof the invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of the invention when considered in conjunction with thedrawings.

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when usedin this specification is taken to specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps or components but does not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,components or groups thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a handsfree accessory for use with amobile communication device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an opposite side view of the handsfree accessory of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a handsfree accessory inaccordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a handsfree accessory, shown in relevantpart, in accordance with another particular embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a handsfree accessory, again shown inrelevant part, in accordance with yet another particular embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a handsfree accessory, shown in relevantpart, in accordance with still another particular embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a handsfree accessory, shown in relevantpart, in accordance with yet another particular embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of a handsfree accessory inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described with reference to thefigures, in which like reference labels are used to refer to likeelements throughout.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a handsfree accessory 20in accordance with the present invention. The handsfree accessory 20 isconfigured for use with a mobile communication device such as a mobilephone 22. As will be appreciated, the handsfree accessory 20 allows auser of the mobile phone 22 to experience personal hands-free (PHF)communications with someone at the other end of a call. Moreover, thehandsfree accessory 20 allows the user to enjoy two-channel audio (e.g.,left and right channel stereo audio). The two-channel audio may be as aresult of a monaural signal from a telephone call being converted totwo-channel audio by the mobile phone 22, for example. Alternatively,the mobile phone 22 may provide the two-channel audio to the handsfreeaccessory 20 as part of a media player function of the mobile phone 22.For example, the mobile phone 22 may output stereo audio as part of amusic player or as part of an audio soundtrack accompanying a videopresentation by the mobile phone 22.

The handsfree accessory 20 includes a first earpiece 24 and a secondearpiece 26 each having a respective audio transducer (not shown). Inthe exemplary embodiment, the first earpiece 24 and the second earpiece26 are in the shape of conventional earbuds that may be inserted intothe ears of a user. The first earpiece 24 provides a first channel ofaudio information (e.g., left channel), and the second earpiece 26provides a second channel of audio information (e.g., right channel).Those having ordinary skill in the art, however, will appreciate thatthe first and second channel audio information are interchangeablewithout departing from the scope of the invention.

The handsfree accessory 20 further includes an earpiece housing 28 thatis integral with the first earpiece 24. In the exemplary embodiment, theearpiece housing 28 is a lightweight boom-shaped housing with the firstearpiece 24 mounted at one end and a microphone 30 mounted at the otherend. The earpiece housing 28 also includes an earclip 32 for attachingthe earpiece housing 28 to the ear of a user with the first earpiece 24inserted in or adjacent to the opening of the user's ear. At the sametime, the earpiece housing 28 positions the microphone 30 in thevicinity of the user's mouth. Thus, similar to conventional Bluetoothenabled wireless headsets, a user can talk to and receive communicationsfrom a caller via the mobile phone 22 via the earpiece housing 28. Inaccordance with the present invention, however, the user also is able toreceive the second channel of audio information via the second earpiece26 inserted in or adjacent to the opening of the user's other ear.

As will be explained in more detail below, the earpiece housing 28includes a transceiver therein. The transceiver is operatively coupledto the respective audio transducers of the first earpiece 24 and thesecond earpiece 26. In addition, the transceiver is operatively coupledto the microphone 30. The transceiver may be a Bluetooth transceiver orother type of wireless transceiver for providing wireless communicationsbetween the handsfree accessory 20 and the mobile phone 22.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the handsfree accessory 20 in whichthe second earpiece 26 is physically coupled to the earpiece housing 28by way of a tether 34. Depending on the particular embodiment of thehandsfree accessory 20 as described more fully below, the tether 34 maybe simply a string, plastic cord, elastic band, etc. In such case, thetether 34 simply serves to keep the second earpiece 26 physicallyconnected to the main unit represented by the earpiece housing 28. Inaddition, or in the alternative, the tether 34 may be made up of a cablethat provides not only a physical connection between the second earpiece26 and the earpiece housing 28, but also provides an electrical and/oroptical connection to the second earpiece 26. The electrical and/oroptical connection allows second channel audio information from thetransceiver in the earpiece housing 28 to be provided to the secondearpiece 26.

For example, in one embodiment the tether 34 includes an electricallyconductive wire that carries audio information between the transceiverand the audio transducer of the second earpiece 26. In another example,the tether 34 includes a pair of electrically conductive wires thatcarry the audio information between the transceiver and the audiotransducer of the second earpiece 26. In another embodiment, the tether34 includes a light guide or an optical fiber, either of which may carryaudio information between the transceiver and the audio transducer ofthe second earpiece 26. In still yet another embodiment, the tether 34may be retractable so as to retract into the earpiece housing 28 and/orinto the second earpiece 26.

As will also be described in more detail below, the handsfree accessory20 may include one or more electrical body contacts for establishing avirtual ground via the body of a user. For example, the first earpiece24 may include a conductive metal electrode 36 and/or the secondearpiece 26 may include a conductive metal electrode 38. When the firstearpiece 24 or second earpiece 26 is inserted into a respective ear ofthe user, the electrode 36 and/or 38 engages in physical contact withthe skin of the user. Thus, the electrodes 36 and/or 38 are able toestablish electrical contact with the body of the user.

According to another embodiment of the present invention also describedin more detail below, the transceiver in the earpiece housing 28 iswirelessly linked to the second earpiece 26. Thus, there is no need forany type of tether 34 physically connecting the second earpiece 26 tothe earpiece housing 28 (although such a physical connection may stillbe desirable in the event one is concerned about the second earpiece 26inadvertently becoming separated from the main unit earpiece housing28). The wireless link may be a radio frequency (RF) link such as anear-field RF link, an optical link, an infrared (IR) link, etc. as willbe explained further below.

FIG. 2 shows the handsfree accessory 20 from the opposite side of thatshown in FIG. 1. As is shown in phantom, the earpiece housing 28 mayinclude a spring loaded retractor spool 40 or the like which allows thetether 34 to be retracted into the earpiece housing 28 when thehandsfree accessory 20 is not in use. Alternatively, the retractor spool40 may be included as part of the second earpiece 26 so as to retractthe tether 34 from the opposite end into the second earpiece 26. Thehandsfree accessory 20 may further include one or more buttons 42 asshown for controlling operation (e.g., picking up a call or ending acall, adjusting the volume, turning on/off, etc.).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of the handsfree accessory 20is shown. The handsfree accessory 20 includes the aforementionedwireless transceiver 46 designed to communicate wirelessly with themobile phone 22 (FIG. 1). In the exemplary embodiment, the wirelesstransceiver 46 is a Bluetooth wireless transceiver designed tocommunicate with the mobile phone 22 according to known Bluetoothprotocols. Alternatively, the wireless transceiver 46 may be any othertype of RF wireless transceiver or other type of transceiver (e.g.,optical, infrared, acoustic, etc). Significantly, however, the handsfreeaccessory 20 does not require a cabled connection between the handsfreeaccessory 20 and the mobile phone 22. In the exemplary embodiment, theBluetooth wireless transceiver 46 includes an antenna 48 forcommunicating with a corresponding Bluetooth transceiver included in themobile phone 22.

In accordance with the present invention, the mobile phone 22 transmitsa two-channel audio signal to the handsfree accessory 20. Thetwo-channel audio signal may be an actual or synthesized two-channelstereo audio signal based on the audio signal obtained from a person atthe other end of a telephone call involving the mobile phone 22.Alternatively, the two-channel audio signal may be a stereo audio signaloutput by the mobile phone 22 when the mobile phone 22 is operating in amusic player mode as is known.

The handsfree accessory 20 receives the two-channel signal from themobile phone 22 via the antenna 48 and the wireless transceiver 46. Thewireless transceiver 46 processes the received RF signal and outputs atwo-channel audio signal to an audio circuit 50 included in thehandsfree accessory 20. The audio circuit 50 separates the audio signalreceived from the wireless transceiver 46 into first and second channelsof audio information on lines 52 and 54, respectively. The first channelof audio information is amplified via an audio amplifier 56, and isprovided to the first earpiece 24 via line 58 so as to reproduce thefirst channel of audio information into sound that may be heard by theuser. Similarly, the second channel of audio information on line 54 isamplified by an audio amplifier 60, and is provided to the secondearpiece 26 via the tether 34 so as to reproduce the second channel ofaudio information into sound that may be heard by the user. In theembodiment of FIG. 3, the tether 34 is a conventional two-wire cablethat serves to provide an amplified audio signal to the second earpiece26. The second earpiece 26 in turn converts the amplified audio signalinto sound via an electro-acoustical transducer as is known.

The microphone 30 detects voice signals from the user. An audioamplifier 62 amplifies the voice signals, and the amplified output isinput to and processed by the audio circuit 50. The audio circuit 50provides the processed voice signals to the wireless transceiver 46 thattransmits the voice signals to the mobile phone 22 by way of the antenna48. In this manner, the user can conduct handsfree operation of themobile phone 22 during a telephone call.

The handsfree accessory 20 also includes the aforementioned user inputs42 for controlling the handsfree accessory 20 and/or the mobile phone 22as noted above. In addition, the handsfree accessory 20 includes abattery 66 or other power supply source for providing operating power tothe electronic components within the handsfree accessory 20. The battery66 may be rechargeable via a charger interface 68 also included in thehandsfree accessory 20.

As noted above, the tether 34 may be a conventional two-wire cableelectrically and mechanically connecting the earpiece housing 28 to thesecond earpiece 26. However, those having ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that other approaches may be used without departing from theintended scope of the invention. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates inrelevant part an embodiment in which the tether 34 is made of aflexible, internally-reflective light pipe. The earpiece housing 28includes a light emitting device 70 such as a light emitting diode (LED)or other photo-emissive device which outputs light modulated inaccordance with the amplified audio signal from the amplifier 60. Themodulated light is input at one end of the light pipe 34 and travels tothe other end of the light pipe 34 at the second earpiece 26.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 4, the modulated light output from thetether 34 is received by a photodetector 72 included in the secondearpiece 26. The photodetector 72 converts the modulated light into anelectrical audio signal that is input to an audio amplifier 74 alsoincluded in the second earpiece 26. The amplified audio signal is theninput to the electro-acoustical transducer 76 of the second earpiece 26so as to reproduce the audio sound.

The light pipe making up the tether 34 preferably is a small flexibletube with a reflective coating or cladding so that sufficient opticalenergy is available to drive the second earpiece 26. The optical energymay be in the visible (e.g., white light) or non-visible (e.g., IR)wavelengths without departing from the scope of the invention. Thetether 34 is preferably a flexible tube light pipe rather than aconventional optical fiber for the reason that optical fibers aretypically more brittle. This makes it difficult for the optical fiber tobe retracted easily onto the spool 40 (FIG. 2) without breaking.Nevertheless, the present invention also contemplates utilizing anoptical fiber within the intended scope of the present invention.

As is also shown in FIG. 4, the second earpiece 26 includes a smallbattery 78 for providing the necessary operating power to anyelectronics within the second earpiece 26. The battery may bereplaceable or rechargeable, as is discussed more fully below.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the tether 34. In thisembodiment, the tether 34 comprises only a single electricallyconductive wire. One end of the wire is connected to the output of theaudio amplifier 60 in the earpiece housing 28, and the other end isconnected to the input of the amplifier 74 in the second earpiece 26.The electrodes 36 and 38 engage in physical contact with the skin of theuser when the respective earpieces are inserted in the ear, and areconfigured so as to establish a common virtual ground between the audiosignal as output by the earpiece housing 28 and the second earpiece 26.Thus, the second channel audio information travels to the secondearpiece 26 via the single wire tether 34 and returns to “ground” viathe skin of the user.

Those having ordinary skill will appreciate that the electrodes 36 and38 as shown in the exemplary embodiment are in the form of “button” typeelectrodes. It will be apparent, however, that other types of electrodesfor contacting the body are possible without departing from the scope ofthe invention. For example, the electrodes 36 and 38 could instead be“ring shaped” electrodes. These ring shaped electrodes can providecontact with the user's skin all around the circumference of the innerear of the user as will be appreciated.

FIG. 6 represents an embodiment of the present invention that utilizes awireless link for providing the second channel audio information fromthe earpiece housing 28 to the second earpiece 26. In one particularexample, the earpiece housing 28 includes a low power RF transmitter 80that transmits the audio information to the second earpiece 26 via RFsignal. More specifically, the RF transmitter 80 mixes the output of theamplifier 60 onto a low power RF carrier signal and transmits the signalto the second earpiece 26. The second earpiece 26 includes an RFreceiver 82 that receives the signal and retrieves the audio informationwhich is then amplified by the amplifier 74 and reproduced.

The RF transmitter 80 may be a circuit different from the wirelesstransceiver 46. Alternatively, the RF transmitter 80 may be comprisedwithin the wireless transceiver 46 itself.

In another embodiment, the RF transmitter 80 and RF receiver 82 may bereplaced with an optical transmitter and receiver, respectively. In suchcase, care must be taken to maintain line of sight communication betweenthe transmitter and receiver.

In still another embodiment as represented in FIG. 7, the electrodes 36and 38 serve to couple the output and input of the RF transmitter 80 andRF receiver 82, respectively, to the skin of the user. This embodimentuses known near-field RF (also referred to as Personal Area Network)techniques to send the second channel audio information as micro-powerRF energy conducted through the body of the user. Such approach isparticularly secure since the micropower RF does not escape the vicinityof the body of the user.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention that enablesquick and easy recharging of the battery 78 in those embodiments of thesecond earpiece 26 having a battery 78. The earpiece housing comprises aconnector 90 for electrically engaging electrical contacts in the secondearpiece 26. This enables the battery 78 in the second earpiece 26 to berecharged when a battery 66 in the earpiece housing 28 is recharged.Specifically, the connector 90 preferably is designed to acceptinsertion of the second earpiece so as to engage electrical contacts onthe second earpiece 26. The electrical contacts (not shown) are coupledto the battery terminals of the battery 78. The connector 90 connectsthe battery terminals to the charger interface 68 as shown so that thebattery 78 may be charged when the battery 66 is charged.

In an embodiment in which the handsfree accessory 20 does not include atether 34, the connector 90 preferably serves also as a mechanicalconnector for holding the second earpiece 26 together with the earpiecehousing 28 when not in use. In an embodiment in which the handsfreeaccessory 20 includes a retractable tether 34, preferably the connector90 is configured such that when the tether 34 is fully retracted thesecond earpiece 26 becomes engaged within the connector 90 so as to berecharged together with the battery in the earpiece housing 28.

Those having ordinary skill will therefore appreciate that the presentinvention provides a wireless handsfree accessory for a mobile phone orother electronic equipment without sacrificing stereo or multi-channelaudio operation.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect tocertain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalents andmodifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the readingand understanding of the specification. For example, although thepresent invention has been described herein primarily in the context ofa handsfree accessory for a mobile phone, the present invention hasutility with other types of electronic equipment as well. The presentinvention includes all such equivalents and modifications, and islimited only by the scope of the following claims.

The terms “electronic equipment” and “electronic devices” as referred toherein include portable radio communication equipment. The term“portable radio communication equipment”, also referred to herein as a“mobile radio terminal”, includes all equipment such as mobile phones,pagers, communicators, e.g., electronic organizers, personal digitalassistants (PDAs), smartphones or the like.

1. A handsfree accessory for a device, comprising: first and secondearpieces each having a respective audio transducer; a receiver,operatively coupled to the respective audio transducers, for providingwireless communication between the handsfree accessory and the device;an earpiece housing integral with the first earpiece and housing thereceiver; and a wireless link for carrying audio information between thetransceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece, wherein theearpiece housing comprises an electrical connector for electricallyengaging the second earpiece to enable a battery in the second earpieceto be recharged when a battery in the earpiece housing is recharged. 2.The handsfree accessory of claim 1, wherein the wireless link comprisesa radio frequency (RF) link.
 3. The handsfree accessory of claim 2,wherein the RF link comprises a near-field RF link.
 4. The handsfreeaccessory of claim 3, wherein the near-field RF link utilizes bodyconduction of a user.
 5. The handsfree accessory of claim 1, wherein thewireless link comprises an optical link.
 6. The handsfree accessory ofclaim 1, wherein the wireless link comprises an IR link.